***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[lonnyandrinda]

I need input/help!
I bought a coop on craigslist. It's a little larger than 3X6. So, that's big enough for 4 or so chickens, right? It's raised up (like on stilts). If I enclose the bottom, that's only another 18 square feet, or MAX of 2 chickens if you adhere to the 10 square foot rule for run space. If I convert it into a tractor, do I still need the 10 s.f. per chicken? I know bigger is always better (lol), and I am not opposed to adding on a larger run, but it's gonna get heavy. I have the space to move it daily and can let them free-range. So, how much ground space per chicken does a tractor need if it will be moved daily? Seriously, I'm not trying to be lazy or cheat the chickens. It just seems I see a lot of tractors that can't possibly be adhering to the space requirements I've seen. My intent for the tractor will either be for a breeding trio (or quartet) or for roosters I can't seem to give up/send to freezer camp. Thanks!

IMO- if they are in a tractor moved daily you CAN put more birds in there. The tricky part with a moveable tractor is they have nowhere to dust bathe unless you move a tray of dirt, too, or something like that. Dust bathing is important for keeping lice/mites down. But it's great for fertilizing your yard/field and I see a noticeably smaller feed usage from the moveable coops. That being said, I have a 6x12 tractor with a 6x2 coop above, a total of 84 sq ft, but with only one 6' roost bar 8 full grown birds is kind of the limit, maybe 9, even if I move it daily. You have to make sure there are enough roost bars for everyone! Right now that particular coop is my bachelor pad and houses 6 roosters, they all get along fine.

 

[HeyBigRhondaq]

IMO- if they are in a tractor moved daily you CAN put more birds in there.  The tricky part with a moveable tractor is they have nowhere to dust bathe unless you move a tray of dirt, too, or something like that.  Dust bathing is important for keeping lice/mites down.  But it's great for fertilizing your yard/field and I see a noticeably smaller feed usage from the moveable coops.  That being said, I have a 6x12 tractor with a 6x2 coop above, a total of 84 sq ft, but with only one 6' roost bar 8 full grown birds is kind of the limit, maybe 9, even if I move it daily.  You have to make sure there are enough roost bars for everyone!  Right now that particular coop is my bachelor pad and houses 6 roosters, they all get along fine.

Thanks! I will probably add some ground space to it before moving anyone in. I hadn't thought about the dust bathing. I will add that. It's the simple things, isn't it?

 

[BetsyOK]

Ashley, great deal on the Brinsea. My two cents worth on table top incubators: I have two Hovabator 1588s with egg turners and have had very good success with them. No problem with anything as long as I keep the humidity at about the right level and don't open it too often!

 

[Nuggetirl]

Ugggggh. People in the breed threads think my 'bantam' Sumatra is really just a Sumatra (they are only about 4 lbs full grown, and she's twice as big as my cochin and silkie, and three times bigger than the OEGB). Which, I was really excited about...for like, two minutes. She's too big for an indoor chicken. They're in quarantine now, so it's not a big deal for another 3 weeks, but as far as what I'm comfortable keeping her in long term.... I'll need to either suck it up and make an outdoor coop, or rehome. Neither one of those options (one for time and money, one because I really like her) sound great.

 

[Ksane]

Check it out! Dusti took some chicks to POOPS for me but there wasn't a taker for some of them, so she gave them to a neighbor. She sent me this pic of one of them. Soooo pretty... I'm such a proud chicken gramma!

That's a Swedish Flower Hen? Love the spangling!

Ugggggh. People in the breed threads think my 'bantam' Sumatra is really just a Sumatra (they are only about 4 lbs full grown, and she's twice as big as my cochin and silkie, and three times bigger than the OEGB). Which, I was really excited about...for like, two minutes. She's too big for an indoor chicken. They're in quarantine now, so it's not a big deal for another 3 weeks, but as far as what I'm comfortable keeping her in long term.... I'll need to either suck it up and make an outdoor coop, or rehome. Neither one of those options (one for time and money, one because I really like her) sound great. 

Oh, I suspect you won't have any problems re-homing a girl If you really want to keep her resign yourself to that and work on a solution. Diaper? A nice sized indoor cage/excersize pen? The possibilities are only limited by the effort you're willing to put into it.

 

[Kyzmette]

Quote:
Not a full SFH, but a cross with a SFH roo and one of my jumbo egglayers. She'll probably be fabulous eye candy that will lay enormous brown eggs.

 

[ashtree]

Ugggggh. People in the breed threads think my 'bantam' Sumatra is really just a Sumatra (they are only about 4 lbs full grown, and she's twice as big as my cochin and silkie, and three times bigger than the OEGB). Which, I was really excited about...for like, two minutes. She's too big for an indoor chicken. They're in quarantine now, so it's not a big deal for another 3 weeks, but as far as what I'm comfortable keeping her in long term.... I'll need to either suck it up and make an outdoor coop, or rehome. Neither one of those options (one for time and money, one because I really like her) sound great. 

3 weeks is a good amount of time to figure something out. I think these threads are full of awesome cheap ideas. Sure some folks do
It fancy but some folks just make it functional and safe. And I'm pretty sure all the chickens are happy do you have any materials laying around? If you do an outside coop/run will predators be an issue? Hardware cloth can be pricey but it's worth it based on stories I've heard. Can you just keep two seperate inside cages (which it sounds like you already have) and just extend the outside run? I think I've heard you say you have a run or maybe they just free range with you outside? Just some ideas. I hope you can keep her, it sounds like you really love her.

I think both my EEs are boys. (Insert head banging against wall emoticon here) I'm not feeling sorry for myself or anything but this is my 6th and 7th EE and I've only ever gotten Roos. So, I think I know what my first hatching eggs will be Arlo and I are not giving up on blue/green eggs. He WILL have a Dorothy!!! Actually we will probably keep Dorothy either way, he is so darn cute and a big sweetie. Plus I love EE roosters.

All the littles are in their grow out pen outside now it's so sweet. The SFHs went crazy running and jumping. @HeyBigRhondaq how are your SFHs? Are you equally enamored? Also maybe we can get some blue/green eggs for hatching once we get the incubator and it cools down enough to gather them? I told Arlo about your roosters and he was so upset he didn't go, he's coming next time. Suki says she wants one that will eat tomatoes out of her hands. That was one sweet and persistent girl following her around.

 

[HeyBigRhondaq]

3 weeks is a good amount of time to figure something out. I think these threads are full of awesome cheap ideas. Sure some folks do
It fancy but some folks just make it functional and safe. And I'm pretty sure all the chickens are happy do you have any materials laying around? If you do an outside coop/run will predators be an issue? Hardware cloth can be pricey but it's worth it based on stories I've heard. Can you just keep two seperate inside cages (which it sounds like you already have) and just extend the outside run? I think I've heard you say you have a run or maybe they just free range with you outside? Just some ideas. I hope you can keep her, it sounds like you really love her.

I think both my EEs are boys. (Insert head banging against wall emoticon here) I'm not feeling sorry for myself or anything but this is my 6th and 7th EE and I've only ever gotten Roos. So, I think I know what my first hatching eggs will be Arlo and I are not giving up on blue/green eggs. He WILL have a Dorothy!!! Actually we will probably keep Dorothy either way, he is so darn cute and a big sweetie. Plus I love EE roosters.

All the littles are in their grow out pen outside now it's so sweet. The SFHs went crazy running and jumping. @HeyBigRhondaq how are your SFHs? Are you equally enamored? Also maybe we can get some blue/green eggs for hatching once we get the incubator and it cools down enough to gather them? I told Arlo about your roosters and he was so upset he didn't go, he's coming next time. Suki says she wants one that will eat tomatoes out of her hands. That was one sweet and persistent girl following her around.

The SFHs are precious! I am loving them!

My EEs just started laying their little pullet eggs. The Ameraucanas shouldn't be far behind. Either of those (once they are big enough) should hatch olive eggers.

Yes, those birds see me coming and KNOW I must have something for them...even when I don't. They look at me like "Didn't you forget something?"

And your family is welcome out here anytime!

 

[ashtree]

The SFHs are precious! I am loving them!

My EEs just started laying their little pullet eggs. The Ameraucanas shouldn't be far behind. Either of those (once they are big enough) should hatch olive eggers.

Yes, those birds see me coming and KNOW I must have something for them...even when I don't. They look at me like "Didn't you forget something?"

And your family is welcome out here anytime!

Well if you don't have EE eggs that's fine. We're not picky! And we will be prepared with tomatoes in hand for the next time we come out

 

[Firefly89]

I'll sell you my Brinsea with the turner for $100. It still works like new, It was like $280 2 summers ago. Hatched a lot of awesome chicks in it
PS The $280 was including the turner and shipping.

Dang, if that doesn't work out can I be next in line? I am looking for another Eco 20, wish I hadn't sold mine before. If anyone else has one I'm interested

lol